Creating a mural

Honestly one of the most exciting moments for an artist is when some says, 'I trust you, just go for it.' 
It was a brief conversation, a remark about a wall being in desperate need for some love and a throw away comment of 'would you like a mural?' 
The next thing I was collecting my basket of ready to go mural supplies, a bit of a snack and my headphones...music is essential. 
I then got to it, I walked around the space with fresh eyes. Music plugged into my ears while students buzzed around doing their own thing. I wanted to get a sense of the space, the shapes, movements, objects and people. There was a beautiful mix of energy, learning, nature and community. A lot going on yet a lot also being acheived. Under the canopy of tall and proud trees with their Autumn leaves hitting the ground I felt myself sink into that creative space. As if all my body had taken a big breath in and my shoulders relaxed. 

Out came the chalk, brushes and paint and up went the marks. The room was surrounded with glass and almost immediately I found students reconfiguring their activities so they could do them within view, they were curious about what was going on. Some of the middle years popped in and asked directly, 'what are you doing?' and when I said painting a mural oh their excited faces was a joy for my eyes. I asked, 'do you want to be a part of the design?' 4 little bodies jumped with excitement and they each made a shape with their individual bodies, some contorted into the oddest oh shapes and we traced around their forms. They picked their base colour and were satisfied to go back to their learning and come back to see the progress. 

The work unfolded really quickly, automatic painting is great for that. The marks are an extension of my hand and also the moment. The colours where choosen to compliment the exisiting space and before I knew it by the end of the day 2 hours later I was as done as I could be. Day two would be ladder day. 

This mural was truly a delight to create, and looking over my shoulder to see small faces squished up against the glass to see it all unfold in real time was an added bonus.  Some of my favourite conversations.

Q - "What will it be?"
A - "When I know you will know, I am just seeing what happens naturally'

Q - "Are you allowed to do that, paint on walls?'
A - 'Yes, I have been given permission to do this, it is great fun. But always ask an adult before you paint on any walls ok."

Thank you Maridahdi Kindergarten and Primary School for the opportunity to create art in your space. I hope it brings joys to your staff and students for a long time.